One of the coolest parts of the publishing business is the opportunity
to feature the best aspects of Cleveland. Besides promoting local
businesses, we also get to promote local non-profit organizations. This
issue is especially gratifying because our cover story is about EDWINS
Leadership & Restaurant Institute - a non-profit which benefits both
individuals looking for careers and businesses in northeast Ohio in need
of talented and skilled employees.
One of the most precious resources of our city is our human resources.
Developing that resource so that Cleveland continues to prosper and
improve should be our community’s highest priority. Our education
system, cultural arts organizations and vocational training agencies all
contribute to the development of Cleveland’s human capital. Where is
our next celebrity chef coming from? Who will bring national recognition
to Cleveland for being the next Lin-Manuel Miranda? (See our piece on
Literary Cleveland.) Every citizen of Greater Cleveland has the potential
for success. It will ultimately make Cleveland an even better place to live
if we support those institutions which provide opportunities to everyone
with the drive to follow their passion. When the next John D. Rockefeller
comes along he’ll need education and a few opportunities, and we’ll reap
the benefits of another hard-working hometown kid’s prosperity.
As you scan the pages of this issue, you’ll see many talented Clevelanders,
following their passions and making this city a great place to live.
Whether their passion is food or fitness, landscape design or renovating
garages, we profit from their entrepreneurial spirit and the employment
opportunities they create for others.
Toast to spring with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese at EDWINS.
Once you’ve read about Brandon Chrostowski’s mission, you’ll want to
do what you can to support his efforts and the efforts of his students. So
make that two glasses of wine. EDWINS stands for Education Wins. In our
view, the entire community wins thanks to the spirit of entrepreneurship.

We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs.
We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement.
All contents of FineLifestyles Inc, publications are copyrighted 2015 with all rights reserved,
except for original articles submitted to FineLifestyles Inc., where copyright resides with
the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written
permission of FineLifestyles Inc. or its writers. The name FineLifestyles Cleveland, its logo
and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The
views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of FineLifestyles Inc. or the
companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is
not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although
we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee
that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be
accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate
professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

y grandmother put a pair
of knitting needles in my
hands when I was eight
years old. My first project
was a cape for my Madame Alexander
doll. Okay, it became a cape because I
kept dropping a few stitches from each
row I knitted. My grandmother put a
yarn clasp and a button on the ends of
the top row and I put it around my doll’s
neck. It’s still there.
My grandmother has been gone for more
than ten years now, but just last week I
wore the brown cardigan she made for
me when I was in high school. Generally,
you can buy a sweater for considerably
less than the cost of making one
with quality yarn. But you’ll never be
emotionally attached in the same way

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

as you are to something you’ve made
yourself or someone special has made
for you.
Whether you learned long ago or you’ve
never tried knitting, there are many
reasons to pick up a pair of needles
and start a project. A recent article
in the Well section of the New York
Times extolled the health benefits of
knitting, comparing it to the therapeutic
practices of meditation and yoga. Jane
Brody points out in the article that after
the initial learning phase, the repetitive
action of knitting can induce a relaxed
state which lowers blood pressure and
heart rate and reduces the level of the
stress hormone, cortisol, in the blood
stream. Other health benefits mentioned
include using knitting to stop smoking

and control weight. Eating and smoking
present unique challenges when your
hands are tied up in a knitting project.
Beyond the inherent satisfaction of
making the sweater of your dreams with
your own hands, knitting for others can
be incredibly rewarding. Gifting a handmade cap for a baby shower is much
more fun than giving a store bought
one, for both the giver and the recipient.
Once the knitting bug takes hold, one of
the most fulfilling aspects of the craft
is making knitted items for Clevelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
neediest. The Cleveland Public Library
has a large group of dedicated knitters
who drop off completed items at any
of the branches or the main library
downtown. Items like knit caps, scarves,
baby hats and blankets then go to
organizations like Providence House
and area womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shelters, as well as
affiliates of the homeless shelter, the
City Mission.
Besides benefitting your physical and
moral health, knitting can increase the
size of your social circle. As mentioned
in the Times article, a third of women

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

9

aged 25-35 now knit, and the numbers
of men and children who’ve taken up the
craft are growing. Add the number of
knitters over the age of 35, and that’s a
large community. There are 17 separate
groups listed on the Northcoast Knitting
Guild site under “Knitting Venues in
Cleveland” which meet throughout the
month, days and nights, in knitting shops
and libraries, coffee shops and even the
Wine Spot in Cleveland Heights. If you’re
a novice, attending a knitting night is a
good way to get some assistance. If you
already know what you’re doing, it’s a
relaxing way to socialize.
Purchasing yarn and supplies online is
an option, but it’s really nice to be able to
touch before you buy. Some wonderful
yarn shops in Cleveland include: The
Artful Yarn, 100 North Main St, Suite
230 in Chagrin Falls; Fine Points, 12620
Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland; Susan Yarns,
2166 S. Taylor, Cleveland Heights; and
River Colors Studio, 1387 Sloane Ave,
Lakewood. A good site for free patterns
online is ravelry.com.

Knitting remains a way for me to connect
to my grandmother. Now that I have a
grandchild of my own to knit for, that
skill has new meaning for me. Lily is so
brilliant, I’m sure I’ll be able to teach her
the basics as soon as she’s old enough
to know not to stab the dog with the
needles. Even though years may pass
between knitting projects, it’s funny how
the things we learn when young aren’t
that hard to retrieve again. It’s what I did
with my reading glasses that escapes
me.

Ready for Romance?
There’s a Solution for That
By Janine Purcell Photos Aaron Leyser and Courtesy of Cleveland Singles

A

re you ready for a committed
relationship but have concerns
about those online dating sites
and you’re already over the
bar scene? There’s a safe and effective
resource for you and others just like you.
Cleveland Singles has spent more than
twenty-five years helping local area singles
find their life partners. When you utilize a
professional dating service like Cleveland
Singles, you are surrounding yourself
with other singles who are serious about
commitment and willing to take the steps
necessary to achieve it. This fact alone
significantly increases your chances of
finding that “special someone,” without
wasting precious time and resources on
the ones who are not.
Cleveland singles has an online presence,
however, they also have a local office

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

where members can stop in and receive
personalized service. Cleveland Singles
does not offer memberships to just
anyone. A screening process is utilized to
ensure the program is right for you and
that you are right for Cleveland Singles. A
comprehensive background check is also
completed as member safety is of primary
importance. Once a prospect is qualified
for membership and makes the decision
to join, a professional photography and
video session is scheduled and a Member
Profile is created. Upon completion of the
orientation, members can start selecting
other members.
The service works best for people who
are committed to the process and willing
to put forth effort, energy and time. In
addition, Cleveland Singles members are
emotionally ready to make a change and

also willing to make an investment to
increase the chances of finding the right
one. “There is nothing more important in
life than who you choose to spend it with,”
says Tracy Sorboro, Regional Director of
Cleveland Singles.
Tracy adds, “If people are serious about
this part of their life and want it to happen,
they must apply the same principles as
one does for anything else in their life that
is an investment for the long term, such as
an education, career, or buying a home.”
Cleveland Singles members have the
opportunity to meet not only by using the
database but also in person at any of the
hosted events. Cleveland Singles offers a
wide range of events where members can
mix and mingle – including happy hours,
theme parties and singles cruises, just to
name a few.

Cleveland Singles is “matchmaking
with a twist,” Tracy explains. “We make
recommendations, but ultimately it is the
member who makes the final decision
about who is right for them.”
Cleveland Singles is open seven days a
week making it quite convenient for busy
professionals to stop by the office and
peruse the members-only database, or
they may do so online from home. When
you are interested in someone an e-mail
is sent to that person through Cleveland
Singles. That member then logs into the
database and will respond with a “Yes” or
a “No, thank you.” Phone numbers and last
names are only exchanged when there is
“mutual consent” from both parties. From
there, contact is made and a date arranged.
Several features of the Cleveland Singles
approach create a level of safety and
security which distinguishes this service
from the online dating sites. Members
never need to question whether a
photograph is real or not when joining
Cleveland Singles. All photography
and video sessions are conducted by a
professional photographer at the local
office. What you see, is what you get.
If this secure and effective approach to
dating resonates with you, get in touch
with Cleveland Singles at 216.642.8855.
They will put you on the right course to
finding that special someone.

edding planning, while
exciting, can seem
daunting. There are so
many services to arrange,
from venue, to caterer, to photographer,
to florist. Make Lowe’s Greenhouse and
Gift Shop in Bainbridge your first stop for
flowers. Lowe’s (no affiliation with big-box
Lowe’s Home Centers) recently received
the prestigious 2016 Best of Weddings
award from The Knot, a national bridal
magazine. The award was based upon
actual reviews provided by real couples,
their families and guests.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

“We do a significant bridal business in
our floral shop,” says Jeff Griff, president,
“and most of it comes from word of mouth
referrals – from people who are happy with
our floral designs and enjoyed working
with us.”
Bridal flowers are a specialty niche in floral
design. Unlike a bouquet that brightens
someone’s spirits for a short time, bridal
flowers surround the couple, their families
and friends for hours and then last forever
in pictures of the special day.
Many brides have very specific ideas,

others seek guidance. Often the venues
where the ceremony and reception are
held determine what type of floral décor
is permitted or appropriate. Additionally,
trends in bridal flowers change over time.
It is critical that couples feel comfortable
with the florist they choose, so that their
wishes and budget are clearly understood
and implemented.
The team at Lowe’s, led by the head of the
floral department, Mary Giamo, loves to
work with engaged couples.
“Every wedding is different, which makes

our job fun and exciting. Some brides want
a formal, traditional look, while many want
a rustic or casual feel,” she says. “Our first
meeting is usually to discuss the overall
theme, venue and budget. We love it when
brides bring pictures and ideas, so we can
see just what their preferences are,” she
adds. Because Lowe’s is both a florist and
a grower, the team brings a unique look to
their designs.
“We have experience with most every
venue in the area,” offers Mary, “which
allows us to guide the bride and groom as
far as what might work well in a particular
setting. It also helps us on the wedding
day, to deliver and set up without any
surprises.”
Lowe’s, family-owned and operated, works
with budgets large and small. Some florists
are reluctant to work with brides who have
modest budgets, Jeff notes, but Lowe’s
provides the same quality and service to all
of its clients.
Lowe’s floral department designs and
delivers arrangements for a variety of
occasions, in addition to weddings.
“We do table arrangements for all kinds
of parties and other events, as well as
arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries
and funerals,” Jeff says.
Stop in or make an appointment to meet
with a member of the floral team to
discuss flowers for your wedding or next
special event.
Lowe’s Greenhouse and Gift Shop is
located at 16540 Chillicothe Road in
Bainbridge, Ohio. Hours are Monday
through Saturday from 9 until 6 and
Sunday from 10 until 5. Call 440.543.5123
or visit the website lowesgreenhouse.com
for more information.

cratch “pick up dry cleaning”
off your to-do list, permanently.
London Cleaners, Northeast
Ohio’s premier door-to-door drycleaning service, picks up your clothes,
cleans them using state-of-the-art
processes and equipment, and delivers
them conveniently back to your home.
Whether you’re looking to clean a pair of
slacks or preserve a one-of-a-kind wedding
gown, London Cleaners can handle the job.
Alex Shvartshteyn, owner of London
Cleaners, is a third-generation custom
tailor who spent years making and altering
garments. With a thorough understanding
of clothing and fabrics, Alex decided to
add a new dimension to his practice:
preserving garments. Thirty years ago,
Alex purchased London Cleaners and
transformed it into an exclusively door-

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

to-door dry-cleaning service. London
Cleaners can handle any type of garment
care and has been recognized and certified
by America’s Best Cleaners for the past
decade.
As Ohio’s only certified couture-level dry
cleaner, London Cleaners is the company
that high-end retailers trust with the
cleaning, preservation, and restoration of
their own garments. “It’s the understanding
of the garments and the understanding of
the fabrics,” Alex explains. “I know how
the garments are constructed and how the
fabrics are made.”
Alex has taken every opportunity to learn
more about garment care. He has traveled
to Italy to tour the factories of Zegna and
Brioni, and to Irvine, California, to explore
St. John Knits. Through experiences such
as these, Alex has gleaned firsthand

knowledge of the construction and care
of designer clothes. He applied this
conscientiousness, which is unmatched
by any other Cleveland-area dry cleaner,
to develop London Cleaners’ Signature
Service for all specialty garments that
require extra care during the cleaning
process. These custom and designer
clothes receive the same level of diligence
in their cleaning as they did in their
tailoring.
What many might consider extraordinary
measures are standard steps in the
Signature process. All garments
are precisely measured prior to
cleaning. Buttons, beading, and other
embellishments that might otherwise
be damaged during the cleaning process
are carefully removed. Hemlines are
opened and thoroughly cleaned. Each
specialty garment is cleaned and finished
individually, and comes out completely
free of seam impressions, thanks to
London Cleaners’ special European up air
equipment. Then, they arrive at your front
door, individually packaged on wooden
hangers in breathable bags.
“Our standards are very high,” Alex says.
“I’m proud of what we do.”
Terri Brown, London Cleaners’ plant
manager, is certified in bridal gown
cleaning and preservation. She inspects
all specialty garments and wedding
gowns upon their receipt and encourages
customers to share any concerns and/or
special requests with her. She ensures that
no detail is excluded from London Cleaners’
certified museum-quality wedding gown
preservation process, during which sterile
gloves are used to package the gown into
a specially designed preservation case.
Then detailed instructions for storage are
provided to the customer.
“We’ll take it from here” is the London
Cleaners’ motto. From cleaning to
preservation and storage, let the experts at
London Cleaners take the guesswork out
of garment care. Visit londoncleaners.com
to explore the services offered, and call
800.832.1222 to get started today.

London Cleaners
440-283-0200
800.832.1222
londoncleaners.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

17

Health and Wellness

GET YOUR GROOVE ON
By Meg Pauken Photos Vincent Pearson Photography

ANJUA AND ZOSIMO MAXIMO, OWNERS

18

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Z

osimo and Anjua Maximo know
fitness and they know how to
have fun. Put them together and
you have GrooveRyde, the most
upbeat new workout studio in town, and
the perfect spot to challenge yourself while
having a great time.
GrooveRyde recently opened in
Woodmere, with a menu of classes that
include danceable music, innovative
workout routines and motivational
instructors. Husband and wife, Zosimo
and Anjua, put a lot of thought into their
strategy, long before the doors opened.
“The first thing we did was create our
values and mission statements,” Anjua
says. “GrooveRyde is more than just a
place to work out. We wanted to create a
positive, supportive fitness community.”
Anjua, a former actress, has a fitness
and life-coaching background, while
Zosimo brings DJing, TV production and

sports performance training into the mix.
Together they have created a boutique
fitness studio that is edgy enough for
New York or L.A., but with Midwestern
friendliness.
“We want our clients to have fun while
they’re here. Every class is positive focused on creating energy and motivation
as a group, while supporting each
individual,” Anjua explains.
There are three separate studios at
GrooveRyde, each geared toward a
different style of workout. 32 stationary
bikes provide the backbone of the
GrooveRyde experience, with two different
variations, Deep Groove & Groove Cycle,
that include spinning, intervals, hills,
weights and upper body moves. A second
studio called Eastside Row contains indoor
rowers and TRX, where unique classes
that fuse elements of rowing, suspension
training, kettlebells and core exercises are
done in circuits. The third studio is home

to GrooveRyde’s signature Pure Mvmnt
classes. Pure Mvmnt is only for women.
Each 75-minute class includes mat and
pole work, bringing the students into
harmony with their bodies and femininity
as they build strength and confidence.
Anjua teaches the Pure Mvmnt classes
herself, and finds it especially rewarding.
“I see such a transformation in the women
I teach, as they grow more comfortable in
their bodies and physically stronger. Their
confidence shows in the way they stand
and move after taking the classes.”
GrooveRyde offers upbeat, energetic
fitness classes, but it provides something
more, as well.
“As a boutique fitness studio, we offer
a more personal approach than big-box
gyms. We know our clients’ names and
we can modify workouts to make them
accessible to everyone. That may not
always be the case when you’re trying to

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

19

manage 75 people in a boot camp class,”
Zosimo says. “All of our team members are
aligned with our philosophy: we want to
challenge our clients to push themselves,
but we won’t let anyone be left behind.”
GrooveRyde offers reasonable drop in
rates for classes, with discounts for multiclass purchases. Because class sizes are
limited, reservations are requested.
Zosimo and Anjua invite visitors to stop by
the studio and let them show you around.
GrooveRyde is located at 27970
Chagrin Boulevard, in Woodmere. For
a full description and schedule of all of
the classes offered, visit the website:
grooveryde.com or call 216.765.0969.
GrooveRyde
27970 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere
216.765.0969
grooveryde.com
SAMMY FRIEDMAN, INSTRUCTOR

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

EXPERTAdvice
Safely Alleviate
Sciatic Nerve Pain

• spinal disc herniation, in which the
outer layers of the disc fray or tear and
result in a protrusion of the intradiscal
material with pressure on the sciatic
nerve roots;

e address many health
concerns in my office but
one of the most common
problems that I see daily
is sciatica — an acutely painful condition
that results from the inflammation or
irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs
down the back of the leg into the calf,
ankle and foot, often causing severe
cramping or numbness of the toes, and
spasms in the lower back and buttock.
Not only is sciatica painful, but it can
also be very complex and derive from a
number of causes:

• tight piriformis muscles of the buttock
which compress the sciatic nerve at its
emanation from the sciatic notch of the
pelvis;
• spinal stenosis, a congenital or
acquired,
degenerative
narrowing
of the spinal canal which physically
compresses the sciatic nerve roots;
• spinal degenerative disc disease/
osteoarthritis,
(also
known
as
degenerative arthritis of the spine) that
results in bone spur formation that can
rub against the sciatic nerve roots as
they leave the spine;
• postural changes related to pregnancy,
which results in laxity of the ligaments
of the pelvis and sacroiliac joint that can
refer pain along the sciatic nerve;
• along with a number of others.
The good news is that in many of these
cases, I have had great success at
alleviating the condition of sciatic nerve
irritation with entirely conservative
approaches — chiropractic treatments,
physical therapy, non-surgical spinal
decompression therapy, myofascial
release, and nutrition — and saved
patients tens of thousands of dollars

on costly and invasive injections and
surgeries.
The key to the treatment is the evaluation
of the condition at its earliest onset,
before there are chronic or permanent
manifestations of nerve root damage.
Once a spinal nerve root has become
compressed or irritated, it can quickly
deteriorate and degenerate within a
matter of only a few weeks to cause
severe, unrelenting pain from the nerve
root damage itself; muscle spasms;
muscular atrophy and loss of muscle
mass; and resultant weakness in the leg,
leading to noticeable gait changes, and
instability in walking.
At its advanced stages, sciatic pain can
be debilitating and cause the patient
to require use of a cane, walker or
wheelchair to get around, since the
nerve becomes damaged beyond the
body’s ability to repair it; it can even
result in signs of loss of bowel or bladder
control.
For more than 20 years, I have treated
the condition of sciatica safely and
effectively in my office through
conservative management, and have
helped to restore health to thousands
of patients who thought that they
had no other options. Give us a call at
Livingston Chiropractic Center today at
440.528.0005 to see if this treatment
can help you!

f you experience pain, numbness
or weakness in a limb, this may
indicate a problem that can be
addressed through non-invasive
spinal decompression therapy. When you
suffer from spinal conditions such as disc
protrusions, pinched nerves or sciatica,
surgery is a double whammy: it costs tens
of thousands of dollars, and often fails to
correct the ailment. Spinal decompression
therapy is a nonsurgical alternative
treatment that is effective and painless â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
and it costs about one-tenth the price of
surgery.
Nearly a decade ago, Dr. John Livingston
began using spinal decompression therapy
for his patients with spinal disc problems.
The treatment was so successful that,
almost 10 years later, Dr. Livingston
continues to use it to treat a variety of
spinal issues in the back and neck, such as
disc protrusions, herniations, and bulges,

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

as well as conditions including pinched
nerves and sciatica.
In fact, research places the effectiveness of
this painless therapy between 86 and 93
percent; surgery, on the other hand, yields
an estimated success rate of between 20
and 50 percent.
Dr. Livingston is a third-generation
chiropractic physician who has been in
practice for 20 years. He and his partners
at Livingston Chiropractic Center take a
holistic approach to health care to identify
and address the causes of pain, rather than
masking the symptoms.
Beyond cost and efficacy, decompression
therapy provides a plethora of benefits
over the surgical alternatives, which
would be trimming the affected disc or
cutting open the spine to remove the
disc. Decompression therapy is simple,

easy and even relaxing for patients. All
they have to do is lie horizontally on the
table-like decompression machine, which
provides gentle, intermittent, angled
traction to the area of the spine where
the nerve is pinched. This force separates
the vertebrae around the protruded disc,
creating a vacuum-like effect that draws
the disc away from the spinal nerve and
back where it belongs. “It’s quick and
easy,” Dr. Livingston says. “A lot of people
actually fall asleep during it.”
This therapy is noninvasive, painless and
gradual in nature. It incrementally moves
the disc back into place over four to eight
weeks of treatment, depending on how
significant the protrusion is. “Much like
orthodontics moves the teeth slowly
into place with time and pressure,” Dr.
Livingston explains, “decompression
therapy moves the discs slowly with time
and pressure.”

Because spinal decompression therapy
is painless, it doesn’t involve cortisone
injections or any other dangerous or
addictive medications. Patients also
experience significantly shorter recovery
times than those following surgery.
Dr. Livingston follows up decompression
therapy with adjunctive treatments, which
help to keep the disc in the right place, and
nutritional counseling to promote recovery
and overall health. He stresses health and
wellness, and actively incorporates them
in his treatments to ensure his patients’
bodies have the nutrients necessary
to heal their injuries. “That’s almost as
important as the treatment itself,” Dr.
Livingston explains.

located at 25111 Miles Road, Suite D, right
by the intersection of Miles and Richmond
roads in Warrensville Heights.

hen Barre Cleveland
opened in Beachwood
in June 2012, it was the
first studio in Cleveland
to offer the Barre workout. As with many
trends, lookalikes pop up everywhere, but
they are not all created equal.
Yana Salwan opened Barre Cleveland
because she wanted to create a femaleonly space where women could find a
complete and personalized workout that
would be sustainable for the long term. A
seasoned fitness professional, Yana began
researching Barre years earlier, driven in
part by the effects of a lifetime of highimpact exercise upon her body.
The low-impact program incorporates
elements of classical ballet, yoga and
Pilates to develop a strong core; to
strengthen arms, legs and back; and
to improve posture, flexibility and
overall health. Slow, sustained motions
immediately followed by stretches allow
you to strengthen these muscles without
bulking them up.
Since opening the studio in 2012, Yana
has seen a number of other barre-style
studios come and go. “Some of these
places are franchises that are opened
by people with no experience in fitness
or instruction,” she says. “They hire
inexperienced teachers because it’s more
profitable.”
What sets Barre Cleveland apart is Yana’s
experience and expertise coupled with the
personal approach offered by the studio.
Yana has been a lifelong athlete and fitness
aficionado, running track throughout
college and maintaining various fitness
certifications since 1991. She has made
fitness instruction her full-time career
and teaches every class offered at the
studio. Yana’s expertise enables her to
guide clients of all fitness levels. “We
accommodate every fitness level in every
class,” Yana assures. “It’s very inviting —
all the ladies know what it feels like to be
in class for the first time.”
Yana has been teaching group fitness
for years and enjoys choreographing

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Yana Salwan

Celebrating 3 Years!

her classes, changing them weekly so
neither she nor her students get bored
nor complacent. She limits class size to
20 participants, so that she can give very
personalized instruction.

know they can’t just drop in, they put
it in their calendars and it increases
their commitment to working out and
ultimately improves their success,” Yana
explains.

Barre Cleveland is located conveniently
at I-271 & Chagrin Blvd. in Beachwood.
Call the studio at 216.342.4229 or
visit the website for more information:
barrecleveland.com.

“I want my clients to see progress and to
stick with their workouts, so I mix it up
and keep it fresh, while staying within the
overall barre principles,” Yana says.

Go online to barrecleveland.com to read
client success stories and for a limited
time new students can treat themselves
to one month of unlimited BarreFit classes
at 60% off by using the discount code
“LIFESTYLES”. Purchase and schedule
all of your classes online or by using the
Barre Cleveland app.

Barre Cleveland has been so successful
since it opened, that it has gone to a
membership-only format with no dropins. “In order to keep class sizes small,
we ask members to reserve a spot in
the classes of their choice ahead of
time. We have found that, because they

Raise the “barre” for yourself and try a
class at Barre Cleveland.

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

25

Find Your Fit at the JCC
By Kristal Pettit Photos Aaron Leyser and Courtesy of The Mandel JCC

M

id-winter is the perfect time
to check in on your New
Year’s resolutions. Is your
home de-cluttered, your
filing cabinet organized and your fitness
routine “routine”? If not, you are not alone.
As everyone knows, establishing a fitness
routine can be a challenge.
The key to maintaining successful longterm fitness hinges on several things:
variety, convenience, and a supportive
atmosphere. Mandel JCC in Beachwood
provides all three in a state-of-the art
facility that has been voted Best Family
Friendly Gym, Best Swim Lessons, and
Best Fitness Center on the east side for
four years running. You don’t have to
be Jewish or live in Beachwood to take
advantage of all The J offers.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Perhaps most striking is The J’s two-story
sunlit fitness center which features topof-the-line cardio and strength training
equipment. The J is one of the few centers
in town that allows kids ten and older
to work out in its fitness center. With
a four court gym, racquetball courts,
indoor running track and spa-inspired
locker rooms with steam, saunas and
whirlpools, The J is one of the area’s
most comprehensive and architecturally
attractive community centers.
It’s easy to add variety to your workouts
with more than 80 group fitness classes
included in membership . The J’s four
group exercise studios offer Yoga, Pilates,
Spinning and other cutting-edge, highintensity workouts. Classes are generally
small enough to allow for individual

attention, while providing the energy,
challenge and camaraderie class-goers
seek. There is simply no need to travel
elsewhere or spend the money to find
specialized, boutique studio classes when
there are so many to choose from at The J.

experienced American Red Cross-certified
instructors. The J also offers high- and
low-impact water aerobics classes and
aquatics personal training, ideal for those
who have joint pain or are recovering from
an injury.

Many people find motivation working
one-on-one with a personal trainer. The J
has experienced certified trainers to guide
and motivate members on their fitness
journeys. All new members are offered the
free JumpStart program, which pairs them
with a trainer for an initial assessment,
orientation, and help setting fitness goals.

“The entire staff at The J strives to support
members as they work toward achieving
their goals,” said Kate Toohig, Director,
Fitness, Wellness and Recreation. “There is
a lot of personal attention here. We work
to bring people into our family and help
them feel welcome and supported.”

If you prefer the water, you’ll also find
a comprehensive swimming programs
with a variety of private, semi-private and
small group swim lessons and classes for
infants, children and adults, all taught by

The J is conveniently located at 26001
South Woodland, between Richmond and
Brainard, in Beachwood. Call 216.831.0700
ext 0 or visit the website, mandeljcc.org/
fine for a complimentary one week guest
pass and special offers for readers of Fine
Lifestyles.
Mandel Jewish Community Center
26001 South Woodland, Beachwood
216.831.0700
mandeljcc.org

In addition to their extensive fitness
programs, The J also offers award-winning
preschool and childcare, day camps and
Camp Wise overnight camp for children of
all ages. Find your “fit” at the Mandel JCC!
Stop in for a tour Sunday through Friday.

f you enjoy independent film,
animation, family films or foreign
films, documentaries, or movies that
are “different,” consider attending
a movie, or two or three, at the 40th
Annual Cleveland International Film
Festival (also referred to as CIFF40).
If you want to experience the world,
around 60 countries of it, the film
festival might be for you. If you want the
muscles of your heart stretched, or want
to laugh, or learn something new, check
it out.
This year the Film Festival takes over
Tower City Cinemas starting March 31st
running through April 10th. Presented
by Dollar Bank, it will also briefly visit
select neighborhood screening locations
which, as of last year, included the
Capitol Theatre on Cleveland’s west
side, Shaker Cinemas on Shaker Square,
the Cedar Lee Theatre, the Akron Art
Museum, the Akron-Summit County
Public Library, and the Apollo Theatre in
Oberlin.
The film festival started in 1977 with
eight films shown at the Cedar Lee
Theater. This year at CIFF40, more than
500 screenings will be presented, and
over 200 filmmakers from around the
world will be on-hand for post-film Q &
A’s. For some films, panel discussions
called Film Forums will delve more
deeply into the film and its subject. The
audience votes at all film screenings,
leading to the bestowal of a range of
awards.
When you watch the Oscars, are you
curious about all those Short Films
you’ve never seen that win awards?
The CIFF is a “qualifying festival” for the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences for three categories - Animated
Short and Live Action Short categories
since 2009, and as of this January, for
the Documentary Short Subject Award.
Recipients of the CIFF Best film award in
each of these categories will be eligible
for consideration in the corresponding
category of the Academy Awards ®,
provided the films otherwise comply
with the Academy rules.
It turns out that the 35th CIFF award
winner for Best Animated Short — The
Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris
Lessmore — won the Academy Award
for its category in 2012. And the 36th

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

CIFF award winner for Best Live Action
Short — Curfew — won the Academy
Award for its category in 2013.
Bottom line, if you come to the film
festival and vote for the Short Films you
see, that film could become a contender
for the Academy Award.
Over the past 15 years, attendance has
tripled at the CIFF. In 2015, 100,204 film
fans showed up.
Let’s take a second, and consider that
statistic: 100,204 fans. These people
came to downtown Cleveland. Some
took the Rapid Transit. Some paid to
park a car. Some flew to Cleveland on
purpose for this film festival, and some
of them came from other countries and
continents. Some stayed overnight at
hotels downtown or with folks they know
who live here, so they could maximize
their consumption of this cinema feast.
The Cleveland International Film Festival
is a Big Deal. For people who value
this type of experience, it’s a bona fide
cultural jewel of the City of Cleveland.
The first year I attended the film festival
on a weekend day, the hallway at Tower
Cinema was so thick with people one
could barely get by. And in that crowded
hallway, there was palpable energy and
excitement that I’d never felt outside of a
rock concert or big sporting event.
When I picked up on that energy and saw
all those people, felt the buzz of their
enthusiasm, I felt proud of Cleveland.
Each year I revisit that sense of pride
and remain in awe and appreciation of
the 1,008 volunteers contributing 11,000
volunteer hours, 220 seasonal staff and
8 full-time staff who make the festival a
reality.
In addition to buying tickets to individual
films, the Film Festival offers seven
levels of membership, starting at the
Film Student level for $25 and ranging
up to the Movie Mogul at $1200. All
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29

levels of Membership benefit from early
access to the CIFF Program Guide, the
opportunity to buy festival tickets one
week before the general public, a $2
discount off each ticket, and several
other perks. Naturally as one rises in the
membership hierarchy, more benefits
ensue.
This year’s program will be announced
March 4th. Tickets go on sale to CIFF
Members on Friday, March 11th and on
sale to the public on Friday, March 18th.
I hope to meet you at this year’s
Cleveland International Film Festival.

Cleveland International Film Festival
March 31st – April 10, 2016
Tower City Cinemas and select local
cinemas
cfs@clevelandfilm.org
clevelandfilm.org
216.623.3456

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Summoning Literary Types
from All Genres
By Patti London

T

his month we’re excited to share
news of a new organization,
Literary Cleveland, formed to
promote the literary arts in
Cleveland. It’s co-founder, Lee Chilcote,
recognizing that a strong literary
community makes for a better Cleveland,
describes the group as a “high-impact
grass roots organization.”

Literature of Northeast Ohio
The Art of the Short Screenplay
Songwriting: The Creative Process
Winter Fictionfest: A Mini-Conference
Structure and Beauty: A Short Fiction
Workshop
Finding the Spark: A Playwriting Workshop
Pitch Perfect: Selling Your Non-Fiction
Story

“We are a collective of writers, teachers and
organizers that wants to grow communitybased writing programs in Cleveland,”
he explains. Literary Cleveland is off to a
strong start, packing their calendar with
a wide range of programming for both
writers and readers.
A small sample of workshops and events
illustrates the broad appeal of this
burgeoning community:

Unbelievably, all of these events are being
held during February and March. Nominal
registration fees are requested for some
of the workshops, but many are free.
The venues also serve to bring writers
and readers into the literary hot spots
of Cleveland - not only the Main branch
of the Cleveland Public Library, but also
Mac’s Backs, Guide to Kulchur Bookstore,
Loganberry Books, the Urban Community
School, and even the Happy Dog.

Personal Essay Writing Workshop
Poetry Writing Workshop
Cleveland in Print: The History and

Chilcote brings some serious writing
experience to the table, having formerly

acted as Managing Editor for Fresh Water
Cleveland, a popular online Cleveland
newsletter, and also having recently been
published in Vanity Fair magazine. Lee and
his fellow co-founders had early support
from Lake Erie Ink and the Cleveland
Public Library to get Literary Cleveland up
and running.
I attended a Lit Cleveland mixer this past
fall at the Platform Beer Co. where I met
writers of all stripes and enjoyed the
readings of several talented Cleveland
poets and essayists. If you feel the need
for some creative energy, peruse the many
events coming up on the group’s website,
litcleveland.org, or like the Literary
Cleveland Facebook page for updates to
their activities.
Literary Cleveland
litcleveland.org

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

31

Brandon Chrostowski

EDWINS: French Cuisine and Social Justice
on the Same Plate
By Patti London Photos Vincent Pearson Photography

“today we will win. we’ll study
our mistakes and become
stronger. we will win. each day.
we will win.”

T

hese are the words inscribed
over the doorway into the fully
equipped culinary classroom
at EDWINS Leadership &

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Restaurant Institute at Shaker Square.
Positive, forward-looking and empowering
words to inspire the program participants
in their mission to overcome mistakes in
the past and obstacles in the present, on
their way to successful futures.
Each year 4,000 individuals are released
from prison and settle in the greater

Cleveland area. They face innumerable
impediments to reintegrate into the
community, including poverty, lack of
housing and employment options, crime in
their neighborhoods, and little in the way of
support to overcome these obstacles. It’s
not surprising that of these 4,000 people,
1 in 3 return to prison within 3 years. The
personal costs to these individuals and

the cost to society of losing their potential
contributions is immeasurable.

environment of security, stability and
opportunity.

Brandon Chrostowski opened EDWINS
Restaurant, serving upscale French cuisine,
at the end of 2013 with a mission to change
those statistics, to radically change the
odds in favor of success instead of failure.
EDWINS prepares formerly-incarcerated
students with a passion for the hospitality
industry for not only successful transitions
from prison to the community, but roles as
leaders within that community.

The restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is an amalgam of
Education Wins - EDWINS. The education
component provides six months of
intensive training in food preparation
and service. The students receive a
strong foundation in basic skills as well
as the history of the food and hospitality
industry and exposure to experienced
professionals as teachers, mentors, and
potential employers. Organic practices
and lessons from the culinary garden
located behind EDWINS are incorporated
into the curriculum. An emphasis on
fresh, seasonal, and local product is used
throughout the weeks of training in sauces,
cold food preparation, pastries, baking and
lunch and dinner service.

The restaurant and hospitality industry
is growing in northeast Ohio and skilled
professionals are in high demand.
EDWINSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goal is to create a pipeline
of talent into this growth industry by
providing a structured educational
program, housing for students, and an

Students work through a range of posts
learning proper cooking techniques,
station management, inventory control,
and food cost while operating their
individual stations. Students learn the
art of garnishes and how to make fresh
pasta. They sharpen their skills by making
classic and contemporary dishes while
using a broad repertoire of ingredients
and cold food preparation techniques.
Meat, poultry, wild game and seafood
skills are taught including identification
and butchering. Grilling, braising, stewing,
smoking, poaching, pan-frying, baking,
grilling, and en papillote are among a
few of the techniques perfected by the
students.
The significance of dietary restrictions for
vegans and vegetarians is included in the

Darwin Hailey
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

33

curriculum and desserts aren’t forgotten.
Classic pastry, chocolate tempering and
contemporary desserts are taught and
practiced.
The course ends with the practical
components of classical table
service, restaurant management
and entrepreneurship. A three week
apprenticeship in an approved restaurant
is the final phase of study, where students
are required to keep a detailed notebook of
their experience which serves as their final
exam. Throughout the six month program
students meeting the set performance
standards receive a modest stipend and
most recently the opportunity to reside in
dormitory housing just blocks away from
the restaurant.
If there are any doubts about the culinary
results of these six months of intensive

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

training, simply make a reservation. “Truly,
the goal I’m out to accomplish is to change
the process of reentry for those formerly
incarcerated,” Brandon maintains. “But
to accomplish this goal means running
the best restaurant, from creation to
execution. This requires a depth of training
we’re completely prepared to perform.”
Recognizing that stable and secure
housing was an obstacle to graduation
to many in EDWINS’ earlier classes,
Brandon posited an impossible solution:
provide housing. Through the efforts of
many who donated funds and volunteered
time and skills, a three building campus
has been established on the corner of
South Moreland and Buckeye Roads The EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills
Center. The dormitory houses 21 students
and work is currently being performed on
the alumni house, providing a safe living

environment for recent graduates while
they look for their own place. and a fitness
center/culinary kitchen, to create the best
learning environment to lead to success.
A total of 102 graduates experienced
success through EDWINS’ program in
2015, not one of whom has returned to
prison. The in-depth culinary training
received by these graduates led to a
98% employment rate within 30 days of
graduation. EDWINS’ alumni are working
in some of the finest establishments in
Cleveland: The Butcher and the Brewer,
Crop Kitchen, fire food and drink,
Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Pier W, and Red,
the Steakhouse. EDWINS’ graduates are
in high-demand, with at least 35 different
Cleveland restaurants on the wait list.
The fifth and most recent class graduated
on January 25th, and new classes begin
every 8 weeks. With the completion of the
alumni house and fitness center/culinary
kitchen on the campus of the Second
Chance Life Skills Center, 2016 is likely
to produce a record number of success
stories.
So what can we do to help? Well, what
about attending a Rhone cheese and wine
tasting or a five-course French meal paired
with live opera? These are just a few of
the special events on EDWINS’ calendar
recently. Frankly, any evening at EDWINS
is an event. Even the New York Times has
recognized EDWINS in its dining section.
All Brandon asks is that we order some
wine and enjoy exquisitely prepared
French cuisine. Our patronage of the
restaurant covers a significant portion of

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35

the costs of operating the Institute and, at
the same time, provides an opportunity for
the students to practice their skills in the
kitchen and at the table.
Brandon Chrostowski’s efforts are
being recognized nationally. He won
the 2015 Manhattan Institute Social
Entrepreneurship Award, presented in
November in New York City. In that same
month, Brandon traveled to D.C. to meet
with and feed members of Congress in
an effort to persuade them to reauthorize
a bill that funds training and counseling
programs for former inmates. He’s a
frequent speaker on the challenges of
re-entry and isn’t shy about telling his
own story: how he once faced prison
time but was given an opportunity to
serve probation instead, and how he took
advantage of that opportunity in his own
life.
EDWINS is a charming setting for happy
hour specialty cocktails from 4 - 6:30.
During the summer, oysters on the patio
under the strings of lights makes the
perfect date night. This evening Marc and
I have reservations for EDWINS’ special
Valentine’s Day Menu Rouge, a five course
meal using only the finest aphrodisiacal
ingredients. It’s great that Brandon is
bringing such positive national attention to
Cleveland for his social entrepreneurship.
Celebrate his success and contribute to
the success of EDWINS’ students with a
Pyramide du chocolat. Bon appétite.

A Passport Public Service Announcement
(or How We Were Deported from Ecuador)
By Patti London Photos Fine Lifestyles

I

nstead of writing about a recent
vacation destination, as we usually
like to do, we’re issuing a Pubic
Service Announcement. Marc and
I spent a lovely two weeks traveling in
Ecuador over the holidays, but getting
there wasn’t easy. We would like all of
our readers to be aware of the passport
validity requirements before planning an
international trip - and avoid the annoying
hassle of being deported, as we were.
When we’ve told friends and family our
story about how we were deported from
Ecuador, we’ve been amazed at how few
have been aware of the passport validity

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

requirements of various countries. We
certainly did not know that Ecuador
requires six months of passport validity
before allowing a visitor to enter the
country. We’d been planning this trip
for months, reading travel blogs and
scanning the travel guides. We checked
our passports (more than once) to make
sure they were valid for the duration of
the trip. My passport was valid for three
months and Marc’s passport was valid for
two more months after our planned return
to the states. We’ll just get new ones when
we get back home, right? Wrong!
Ecuador is one of many countries with the

rule that passports must be valid for at
least six months beyond the dates of travel.
Some countries measure the six months
from the time one enters the country, but
others measure the six months from the
date of return. Depending on how long the
trip is, that can make a difference.
Not only were we unaware of the rule,
but our airline allowed us to board an
international flight without informing
us of this. On the Department of State
website, there’s an entertaining video on
this subject but the dire warning contained
in their message is that the airline or
cruise line won’t let you travel with them

if your passport is not valid for a sufficient
amount of time. If the airline had given
us this information before we boarded,
we could have traveled to Detroit and
obtained expedited passports. Instead,
we arrived in Ecuador at 2:30 a.m. on
December 23rd, after traveling all day,
only to learn that we were not allowed to
pass through immigration. Our passports
were confiscated and we were directed
to wait in the airport lobby until the 8
a.m. flight back to Miami. Once we were
aboard that flight, sleep deprived and
super sad, they returned our passports. By
the time we were back in the U.S. it was
after noon on Thursday, Christmas Eve.
The State Department in Miami wouldn’t
be open until Monday and at that point
we weren’t convinced we’d be able to
get new passports in one day. We took a
huge chance and bought return tickets to
Guayaquil, Ecuador, for late Monday night
and crossed our fingers.
Luckily, we have friends in Miami and the

three days over the long weekend certainly
weren’t wasted. It’s hard to feel like a
deported refugee when you’re floating
in a friend’s pool on Christmas Day or
visiting Vizcaya and the incredible public
art murals in the Wynwood District. But,
because we don’t want your future trips
jeopardized nor do we want you to spend
eight hours plus expediting fees with the
State Department to get new passports,
we’re publishing this Public Service
Announcement.
If you are traveling to any of the 26
countries in Europe which have entered
into an international travel agreement
(the Schengen Borders Agreement)
you can enter the countries as long as
you have three months validity on your
passport beyond the date of your planned
departure from that country. All European
Union countries, except Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United
Kingdom, are members of the Schengen
Borders Agreement. In addition, Iceland,

Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein
are also members, although they are not
European Union members.
Romania requires your passport to be
valid on the day you enter the country,
but good luck coming back home with an
expired passport. Ireland and the United
Kingdom require that your passport be
valid for the duration of your stay in the
country. It could expire the day after you
return to the U.S., for all they care. Bulgaria
and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen
Borders Agreement but have the same
three month validity rule. Croatia requires
six months validity like Ecuador.
Canada requires a valid passport at the
time of entry but Mexico has a six month
rule. Central American countries, like
Belize and Nicaragua, require passport
validity for the length of your stay, but
Honduras and many South American
countries, require six months of validity.
The best way to ascertain what your

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39

destination countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rule is, is to check the
Passports & International Travel heading
on travel.state.gov for that specific country.
Ideally you will benefit from this Public
Service Announcement and verify the
amount of time left on your passport before
traveling internationally. To be safe, just
have at least six monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; additional validity
beyond your return date. I recently read
that 2016 is expected to be a particularly
busy year for the issuance of passports.
In 2007, a new law requiring a passport if
flying to and from Canada, Mexico and the
Caribbean, caused passport applications
to nearly double. If you were one of the
18,382,798 U.S. citizens to get a passport
in 2007, you should keep this in mind and
get your application in early before your
expiration date approaches.
Now you know. Happy travels.

oliday Valley Resort in
Ellicottville, New York, is
the region’s most-visited ski
resort because of its wellgroomed slopes and great amenities,
and it is only a quick three-hour drive
from the Cleveland area. After the snow
melts, Holiday Valley is the perfect
destination for a family or group getaway, with a range of activities to suit
young children, teenagers, and both
adventurous and not-so-adventurous
adults.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Jane Eshbaugh, marketing director
at Holiday Valley, says the resort is a
popular destination for families in the
summer, often hosting family reunions.
She elaborates, “Many families come
here the same week, year after year,
so they get to know each other over
the years.” Other groups, such as
bachelor and bachelorette parties,
men’s and women’s golf outings and
business groups, find the resort has the
the perfect combination of activities,
accommodations and amenities.

Western New York is a mecca for cycling
enthusiasts, drawing both mountain
bikers and road cyclists to the area.
Holiday Valley boasts a 4-5 mile “race
loop” for mountain bikers, plus access to
logging trails and over 35 miles of trails
in local state forests. The International
Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)
has rated the trails around Ellicottville as
“epic.” Holiday Valley offers bike rentals
and its trails are available free of charge
to guests.

The winding country roads and rolling
hills around Holiday Valley provide
scenic rides for road cyclists throughout
the spring, summer and fall. Riders of
all levels will find routes to suit, from
moderate to more challenging. This
yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Ellicottville Cycle Weekend
will be June 3 through 5, 2016. Holiday
Valley offers weekend packages that
include lodging, meals and guided group
rides, including a visit to Amish country.
The local bicycle shop in Ellicottville is
a great source for repairs, supplies and
local route information.
Holiday Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sky High Adventure
Park appeals to thrill-seekers. Sky High
Adventure Park includes an aerial park, a
climbing forest and a mountain coaster.
The aerial park is essentially a
playground in the trees, where guests
rely on strategy, balance and nerve to
navigate a variety of challenges. The
climbs and obstacles are arranged

into courses, color-coded for difficulty
level, and range from tame to extreme.
Integrated in the climbing courses are
zip-lines of varying heights and lengths,
that allow guests to fly through the
tree-tops. Once a safety orientation is
complete, climbers hook into a cable
system, to safeguard against falling.
Sky High aerial park provides a great
bonding and team-building experience
for families with children 7 and older,
friends, teams or scout groups.
The nearby climbing forest moves
the climbing gym into the woods, so
climbers enjoy the outdoors and the
wooded scenery as they move from hold
to hold. Climbing holds are color-coded
for difficulty, so climbers from novice to
expert can enjoy the experience. Again,
safety is paramount, so climbers use a
belay system and plenty of staff are on
hand to supervise.
The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster is a

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43

roller coaster in which each rider, with
or without a companion, controls his
own car, speeding up and around banked
turns, corkscrews, hills and loops, all
while enjoying breathtaking views.
Holiday Valley’s golf course was recently
redesigned to provide a challenging and
picturesque 18-hole tract, situated in the
valley and around the ski trails. At 6500
yards, it plays much longer, and offers a
blend of mountainous and flat terrain.
Depending upon the tees, the slope
rating ranges from 126 to 118. Lessons
and club rental are available.
After cycling, climbing, and golf, a
relaxing massage is in order! Falling
Waters Spa is located in the Tamarack
Club at Holiday Valley. It is a full service
spa, offering a variety of massages,
treatments and beauty services in a
tranquil setting.
Accommodations at Holiday Valley
include the Inn, with its quiet, traditional
rooms, and the Tamarack Club,
condominium-style lodging with flexible
accommodations for 2-10 people.
Holiday Valley Rentals also offers
townhouse, condominium and house
rentals to comfortably suit any size
group.
All guests at Holiday Valley may enjoy
the resort’s 3-pool swim complex and
hot tubs. On-site restaurants include
John Harvard’s Brew House, open daily,
year round, for lunch and dinner and
McCarty Café, open for breakfast and
lunch, as well as a cabana bar near the
pools.
Book your next family get away at
Holiday Valley and enjoy all that the
resort and the surrounding area has to
offer!
Holiday Valley Resort’s website
provides details about activities,
accommodations and reservations,
as well as driving directions: www.
holidayvalley.com. Or call 716.699.2345
for more information.

Swim Year Round
Inside or Outside
Join the Swimming Revolution
The Sleek European-Inspired styling of the Michael Phelps
Signature Swim Spa by Master Spa is unlike any swim spa that has
come before. Enjoy swimming, aquatic exercise, hydrotherapy
and family fun any day of the year in your back yard.

inter 2016 is giving way to
Spring. Now is the perfect
time to start planning
a well thought out and
durable landscape project to increase your
enjoyment of your yard.
In addition to enjoying the nature in your
own backyard with family and friends,
many sources say that a beautiful
landscape can increase the value of your
property 5 to 25 percent. The Society
of Landscape Architects points out that
well-conceived and executed landscape
improvements return 100 to 200 percent
of their cost when a house is sold.
Exscape Designs, headquartered in
Chesterland, Ohio, will work with you to
create an outdoor oasis that suits your
personal style and budget. It is a full
service landscape company which boasts
over 100+ years of combined experience
with its staff of certified landscape

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

professionals. The company has beautified
Northeast Ohio since 2004.
President and Owner Bill Dysert “got
the dirt disease” at the young age of 13
when he got a job down the road from his
home that included working with dump
trucks and bulldozers. His father ran a
construction business building custom
decks, barns and pole barns which gave
him a model of entrepreneurship. At 17
he got involved in Auburn Career Center’s
Horticulture program and built experience
with a large contractor doing hardscape
installation.
Bill says his goal was to build a business to
create “outdoor living spaces with design
style.” In 2005 he hired one technician;
now the team is 20 full-time staff that
grows to 45 people during peak season
running from April through the end of
November. The business is presently 60
percent design and building of landscapes

and hardscapes, 40 percent maintenance
and snow removal. They also provide a
commercial snow removal service.
The company uses a four-phase Design/
Build method to successfully partner
with home owners, property managers,
knowledgeable home builders and
architects. Clients are provided with a
landscape and/or hardscape project that
includes a “well-designed and planned
approach, executed thoughtfully by
professionals with a warranty to back it
up,” Bill says.
Exscape Designs offers a broad range of
capabilities. From a single outdoor feature
to a combination of elements – decks,
patios, walkways, waterscaping, outdoor
lighting, a fire pit, spa or place to stow
lawn and other outdoor equipment – feast
your eyes on the gallery of examples at
exscapedesigns.com to seed your dreams.

The aim at Exscape Designs is to
“enhance people’s lives through positive
interaction.” The dozens of testimonials
on the company website suggests they
are achieving that aim. Their clients’
experiences reflect Exscape Design’s
success in building relationships of trust
and delivering more than what’s expected.
Exscape Designs has won three “Best
of Houzz” Service awards in recognition
of their high standards and an unfailing
commitment to their customers.
Contact them by phone or through their
website to begin a relationship that could
increase the beauty and value of your
home and enhance the quality of your life
for many years to come.
“Bill and his team did a great job renovating
our entire backyard. They finished the
project on time and on budget. They
made sure to communicate with me on
any potential issues. I received a weekly
update, with photos of the progress made,
and notes on what was coming up. I would
highly recommend Exscape Designs.”

he appearance and condition of
your roof plays a major role in
creating a sense of well-being
regarding your home. Coming
home to a roof that looks trim and intact,
and knowing it’s providing protection
against the elements contributes mightily
to homeowner peace of mind.
If your roof is made of specialty materials
such as clay tile, or slate shingles with
copper flashing, Drew Smith, Vice
President and Project Manager of Brad
Smith Roofing, encourages routine
inspection and maintenance to preserve
the inherent beauty and resilience these
materials can provide. A properly installed
roof of these types can easily last 100
years when given routine attention.
“It’s important to keep an eye on these
roofs with an annual inspection. Weather
or animals can cause tiles or shingles
to move out of line, break or blow off,”
Drew explains. “This damage can result
in leaks. Temperature extremes and UV
radiation can cause the underlayment to
breakdown. Moss and algae growth can
cause staining or black streaking.”
Depending on the condition of the existing
roof system, Brad Smith Roofing may be
able to replace slate shingles, concrete
or clay tile, or copper flashing that may
extend the service life of your roof system.
Moss or algae growth can be cleaned off
using a specialized roof steaming system.
Perhaps it is time to replace the slate roof
entirely, or you want to upgrade the look
of your home with something different
and avoid the expense of real slate. In
this case, Drew recommends the EcoStar
brand Majestic Slate™. Brad Smith
Roofing has worked with this product
type for almost ten years and can expertly
install it. The sustainable, environmentally
friendly product is manufactured with 80
percent post-industrial recycled rubber
and plastic. Also, the compound has very
little vinyl that could emit vapors into the
atmosphere.

material meets the Underwriters Lab Class
4 impact resistance standard, meaning
that the shingles will not show ruptures
or cracks visible on the front or back of the
shingle immediately after large hail impact.
The product weighs only as much as
standard grade asphalt shingle, and
doesn’t require the type of maintenance
that genuine slate demands. There is
little if any additional installation cost,
in part because standard roof framing
and underlayment provides the needed
infrastructure.
Brad Smith Roofing used this material to
replace a man-made cement tile roof at
Crocker Park’s Promenade of Westlake.
You can see and appreciate the lasting
results of this installation which has
endured the weather for eight years now.
If the appearance of your roof fails to
give you a sense of well-being as a proud
homeowner, call on Brad Smith Roofing to
inspect your specialty roof system. They
will produce a comprehensive report with
options of repair versus replacement.
With over 30 years of experience, they
are dedicated to delivering projects with
painstaking attention to detail and expert
craftsmanship, all the while maintaining a
professional demeanor.
Brad Smith Roofing
24550 Sperry Drive
Westlake
440.835.3377
bradsmithroofing.com

eavy rains through spring
and early summer create
wet situations in some of
our basements. This can be
the time when we find out
that our sanitary lines are in need of repair.
Tom Golian, the new General Manager at
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, is supremely
confident in the highly skilled, certified
technicians who are dispatched to assist
homeowners facing wet basement
situations. Tom comes to Benjamin
Franklin Plumbing with three decades of
construction experience, many of those
years spent in executive management
Tom Golian, General Manager

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

positions. Prior to the years of his current
career, Tom was a Navy SEAL.
One can hear Tom’s military service
background come through when he talks
about the employees of Benjamin Franklin
Plumbing. “We place a great deal of trust
in our technicians and staff at Benjamin
Franklin,” Tom explains. “They are well
trained and well versed in our policies and
procedures so that we can empower them
to provide excellent customer service.
They are authorized to make on-the-job
decisions which lead to the highest level of
customer satisfaction.”

The technicians dispatched to service
those cracked or root-filled sanitary lines
require an advanced level of training and
certification, given the sophisticated
technology they are currently using.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is utilizing
NuFlow technology to handle the
problems which can lead to water in the
basement. NuFlow technology can remove
the foreign object or buildup of grease
blocking the line. If old clay lines have
separated or cracked, they can now be
repaired, without digging a trench through
your yard. NuFlow lining technologies are
long-term, affordable and mean less time,
less mess and less cost than repiping drain
and sanitary lines.

breaks in the clay pipes, however, they
would need to be repaired.
Now there’s an option which does not
require the demolition of your yard and
garden. Repair of cracked or separated
pipes is possible with the NuFlow
technology employed by Benjamin
Franklin Plumbing without digging a
trench. NuFlow is an innovative green
technology which rehabilitates the inner
infrastructure of deteriorated or failing
pipe systems using an array of cured-inplace epoxy pipe lining solutions. Once it
hardens this lining creates a smooth, solid
surface inside the pipe. The roots can not
penetrate the lining and will go elsewhere
looking for a moisture source.

If the pipes are still intact, but a foreign
object or grease is blocking the line,
Benjamin Franklin plumbers would jet the
pipe clear with a 3000 psi pressurized
water source. If there are separations or

The cost of the trenchless repair is roughly
the same as a trench going through your
yard, but without the driveway, sidewalk
and patio replacement and landscaping

Roots and other blockage in the pipes

The NuFlow installation

repairs. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers
a five year parts and labor warranty on the
lining itself.
Tom Golian says that he accepted the
General Manager’s position with the
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing family
business because “their client loyalty
has been built on honesty, integrity
and customer satisfaction. These core
principles are what drive me.” Call Tom
with any questions you might have about
the NuFlow technology. Have Benjamin
Franklin Plumbing take a look at your
sanitary sewer before you face a daunting
mess in your basement.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
12043 Mayfield Road, Chardon
440.543.1151
BenjaminFranklinPlumbingNEOhio.com

After NuFlo repairs on pipe

Dennis Kratochvil and Tom Golian
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

51

On the Cutting Edge:
Custom Granite Designs

G

ranite and quartz are always
elegant and practical choices
for home décor, but when
incorporated into customdesigned inlays, they create a spectacular
focal point. Cabinets & Granite Direct
specializes in the fabrication and
installation of granite and quartz surfaces.
Fannie Chen, Vice President and General
Manager, recently added a specialized
stone-cutting machine to the company’s
workshop. The new device enables her
stonecutters to design and cut intricate
shapes, such as monogram letters and
other designs, from stone slabs. The
customization features of the machine

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

By Meg Pauken Photos Aaron Leyser

also allow her team to create inlaid
designs or custom cut tiles to frame an
unusual shape, using complementary or
contrasting granite.

Ms. Chen is especially pleased to
showcase two new lines of cabinets that
compliment their previous offerings.
The new lines, Milan and Valentino, are
both contemporary and very on-trend,
featuring high gloss finishes in a variety of
colors and styles. “We’re the only cabinet
retailer carrying these lines in Cleveland,”
Ms. Chen says. As with the other cabinet
lines, they are solid wood construction
and feature soft-close doors and drawers,
just as you generally find in high-end

“Our pricing is so affordable, our
customers are installing our cabinets
and granite countertops not just in their
kitchens, but in laundry rooms, bars, and
basement recreation rooms,” says Chen.
“Granite and quartz also work well for
fireplaces and showers,” she adds.

custom cabinetry. Other popular cabinetry
lines include the Shaker-style Soho line,
available in both white and espresso
and the more detailed and traditional
Cambridge line. There are a variety of other
lines in a range of colors and styles to suit
any design or décor. Coordinating knobs
and pulls are also available, to complete a
custom look.
Cabinets & Granite Direct has an
expansive, 9,000 square foot showroom,
which includes complete kitchen and
bath installations. Clients are encouraged
to come in and examine the cabinets and
countertops in a real-life setting to get a
feel for the quality they offer. Ms. Chen
notes, “Our professional sales staff is
prepared to answer any question about the
new lines or any of our products.”
The company works with contractors and
remodelers, but also offers installation
services at very competitive prices, by
company employees, not sub-contractors.
Cabinetry may also be purchased “RTA,”
or ready-to-assemble, for maximum value.
Thanks to their close relationship with
the cabinet manufacturers and granite
fabricators, turnaround times are much
shorter than typical in the industry.
“No job is too big or too small,” Ms. Chen
states. “We do very small residential
projects as well as large commercial
installations.”
Visit Cabinets & Granite Direct to see for
yourself the exciting new design options
that are available. Stop in today for a
consultation.
Cabinets & Granite Direct is conveniently
located at 4979 West 130th street in
Cleveland, near I-480. Showroom hours
are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.
until 6 p.m. Call 216.898.9758 for more
information.

Chickens are Moving Off the Farm
and Into the Suburbs
By Patti London Photos Fine Lifestyles

T

his time last year we were
studying the Meyer Hatchery
catalog trying to decide on a
few varieties of chicken to add
to our growing urban farm. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d wanted
chickens for a few years but Marc was
convinced only after seeing the cool
chicken coop our Cleveland Heights
relatives built for their small flock. We
needed breeds which were friendly
and cold-weather tolerant, for obvious
reasons. We chose three different hens,
all brown egg layers: a Barre Rock with

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

black and white speckles; a creamy
yellow Buff Orpington; and a beautiful
mahogany Buckeye, the only breed to
be created by a woman, Nettie Metcalf,
who began the breed in Warren, Ohio in
1896. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re named Beatrice, Daphne
and Phoebe, respectively.
We ordered the chicks in early spring
and were given a mid-May date to come
down to the hatchery to pick them up.
Postal delivery is also an option, as
long as you contact your post office

and let them know that a live delivery
is expected. Meyer Hatchery is only an
hour away and we were in this project
for the full experience, so we made the
drive.
We borrowed the brooding supplies,
which consisted of a large plastic
storage tote with part of the lid cut away
and replaced with a screen, a feeder and
watering trough for chicks, a heat lamp
and thermometer. The chicks were only
a day hatched when we picked them up

so they were a bit unstable, tottering
around the plastic box on their little legs
and learning about their world. They
hung out in Marc’s office, away from the
cat, and peeped loudly while he talked to
customers on the phone. But that didn’t
last too long.
The chicks grew amazingly quickly and
were ready for their coop in a few short
weeks. Marc selected a chicken coop
palace online which means we’ll have
to raise chickens for the rest of our lives
to recoup the cost in egg savings. When
we set the coop up in the backyard, we
attached an extra foot of chicken wire
around the perimeter of the coop and
buried it under an inch or two of soil so
it isn’t visible but it’s effective to keep
critters from digging into the coop.
Coyotes and raccoons would love one of
the birds for a snack, so it’s important to
keep them safe.
The hens need exercise so we let them
roam the yard three to four times a
week for an hour or two. They find lots
of bugs to eat which also supports their
health and contributes to the nutritional
value of our eggs. They are extremely
entertaining to watch explore the yard.
They do not fly, so we don’t worry
about them hopping the fence. The
neighborhood kids will appear at the
back fence occasionally to watch the
chickens run around the garden. They
didn’t hurt any of the vegetables we had
growing last summer. In fact, they ate
bugs off the tomatoes and peppers, so
that was helpful.
Hens don’t start laying eggs until
they’ve matured. They surprised us
when they started laying eggs at the
end of December, though. We thought
we’d have to wait until spring because
chickens produce more eggs when the
hours of daylight are longer in spring,
summer and fall. We get about four eggs
a week in the winter and we expect to
see about 18-20 per week from three
hens in the summer. The eggs have huge,
bright orange yolks and taste like nothing
you can buy at the grocery store. And we
don’t have to worry about arriving early
at the Shaker Square farmers’ market to
be sure we get fresh eggs before they’re
sold out.
Several questions come up regularly
when people find out we have chickens.
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

55

We’re often asked if we have to have a
rooster. No, a rooster is only necessary
if we wanted to raise more chickens
from these eggs. The eggs we collect
aren’t fertilized and will never hatch
into chickens. We’ve been asked if our
neighbors complain and can honestly
answer that they don’t. The coop is
very clean and the chickens only make
noises when they notice the neighbor’s
cat sitting on top of the fence watching
them. We’re also asked what we do with
them in the winter. They stay in their
coop outside, just like all of the chickens
on the farms. Although, we have a small
heating unit resting inside their watering
container so the water doesn’t freeze.
Finally, we frequently field the question:
what are you going to do when they stop
laying eggs? We don’t have an answer to
that one yet.
We may never save any money on
eggs through this adventure but our
investment has already paid off in terms
of entertainment and the quality of our
Sunday morning breakfasts. Check with
your municipality to see if it’s one of the
suburbs zoned to allow a few feathery
friends.

any people have tried to
paint their garage floor with
store-bought kits or hired a
professional to install epoxy
flooring only to have a peeling mess a
couple years or even months later. After
20 years as an owner of a large painting
company, Mario FX Salwan set out to find
a better solution. He did just that, with
technology invented by Bayer Material
Sciences called Polyaspartic.
“Polyaspartic is a higher-grade version
of a Polyurea coating similar to what is
used as a spray-on bedliner for pick-up
trucks,” explains Mario. “The difference
is Polyaspartic can be rolled on and has
improved properties including being
harder, non-yellowing and non-peeling
due to hot tires from a car, truck or plane.”

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Using decades of installation experience,
Mario worked with a chemist to formulate
this resin into the perfect garage and
commercial flooring system named the
Forever Floor and installed by Garage
Finisher around the Cleveland area. Garage
Finisher also sells this revolutionary
coating system to other professional
flooring installers throughout the United
States and Canada who are amazed at
how great their floors now look, how easy
they are to clean and how long they last.
The Polyaspartic resin can be applied
down to negative 30 degrees and dries in
one hour. Due to this innovation, Garage
Finisher can install floors year round in
residential garages, car dealerships and
commercial buildings. “The installation
process involves hundreds of steps and a
lot of equipment, but the floor of a normal

two car garage can be installed in one day
and you can drive on the floor the next
day,” says Mario.
All the items in your garage are removed by
Garage Finisher’s crew and put in a Garage
Finisher storage trailer on your driveway
while the work is being completed, so you
don’t have to lift a finger. Then, Garage
Finisher uses concrete grinding equipment
connected to specialized vacuums to
remove the top layer of your concrete,
including any coatings, oil, dirt and
contaminants. A two-part liquid Polyurea
filler that dries in eight minutes is used
to fill all the cracks, pitting and control
joints, effectively providing a seamless
floor so there is no place for dirt to hide.
Garage Finisher applies five separate
layers of flooring to your garage floor, each

layer drying in one hour. The result is a
decorative, nonporous flooring system that
is easy to clean and unfazed by hot tires,
salt, oil, gasoline and household chemicals.
Garage Finisher is so confident in its
floor, that after they put away all your
belongings, the company provides you
with a Lifetime Warranty. All you need to
do to maintain the Forever Floor is hose it
down and dry it with the complimentary
Garage Finisher squeegee, no additional
sealing or expense is needed.
Once the floor is looking perfect, you
may want additional services for your
garage like painting, cabinets, slatwall or
accessories â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all of which Garage Finisher
can provide. Watch their Garage Makeover
video online at garagefinisher.com and
request a free estimate on their website or
you can call their office at 216.831.4500.

The Perrino Total Home Solution
Brings Your Vision to Life
By Meg Pauken Photos Vincent Pearson Photography and David Alan

D

o you have a vision of what
your dream home looks like?
Pat Perrino and and his team
at Perrino Builders will turn
it into reality. Their goal is to bring their
customer’s vision to life in each home they
design, build or remodel.
With more than 30 years in the
homebuilding industry, Pat has taken
the time to build a team of professionals
that work together seamlessly. “Most
of my tradespeople have been with me

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

for at least 20 years,” he says. “They are
professionals, not jack-of-all trades, and it
shows in the quality of our work.”
“Our goal is to provide a complete solution
for our clients,” he says. He stays on top of
industry trends, attending trade shows and
markets all over the country. Pat invests
in technology to improve communication,
streamline processes and ultimately
reduce build times. Most importantly,
he provides quality service to all of his
customers.

“A lot of people are surprised when they
find out what all we can do for them,”
Pat explains. “It all starts with the client’s
vision.”
Perhaps a client is looking for a new home,
in a new community. Perrino is currently
working in a number of developments
in northeast Ohio, including the gated
communities at Acacia, Sterling Lakes
and Barrington. For these projects,
clients select a lot, a floor plan, and then
begin consulting with Perrino’s in-house

designers. About 5 years ago, Pat added
ASID-certified interior designers to his
team, and it has made a huge difference.
“We wanted to provide an extra level of
service to our customers and to help them
through the homebuilding process,” Pat
says, continuing, “It can be overwhelming
for people to make all of the design
decisions, from paint colors, to flooring, to
trim and hardware. Having a designer right
there to work with them not only helps
with the process and keeps it moving, it
improves the final product. Their home
goes from beautiful to spectacular.”
Perrino Furniture offers a convenient
option for customers, but it’s much
more than that. Perrino stocks furniture
lines not found elsewhere in the area, in
a design center that is accessible, not
overwhelming. The store sells upholstered
furniture, case goods and lighting, and

offers what may be the best selection of
accessory and accent items in the area.
“Our in-house designers will work with
any customer, not just our homebuilding
clients,” Pat notes.
Perrino’s homebuilding clients also benefit
from another innovation. A few years ago,
the company adopted Builder Trend, an
online tool that provides real-time updates
via email or text message to clients and
team members regarding the progress of
their project.
“Our clients love it, because they always
know what is happening with their
house – the roof is going on today, or the
drywall went in. Because of the improved
communication among the tradespeople,
it has cut our build times almost in half,
which makes everybody happy,” Pat
relates.
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

61

Not all of Perrino’s clients start with an
empty lot in a new development. For some,
the vision starts with an existing house.
“We do a fair amount of tear-down and
rebuild projects,” he says. Often clients
want to be in a particular neighborhood,
but there are no empty lots, so they buy a
home and either tear it down completely
and rebuild from the ground up, or do
significant remodeling.
“The tear-down itself isn’t as expensive
as you might think. It’s a viable option for
areas that are already completely built
out,” Pat explains. “From then on, the
process is much the same as with a new
build: selecting a floor plan and working
with our design team.”
Perrino has an extensive remodeling
business, as well. Oftentimes, clients love
their homes and don’t really want to move,
but they want to upgrade.
“We can take a 2,500 square foot house
and make it look like a million-dollar
home,” Pat says. This might involve an
addition, removing walls and opening up
the floor plan, or adding luxe new features
like wine cellars and media rooms.
Bring your vision to Perrino Builders and
watch them turn it into reality.
The company website provides a list of
developments where they are currently
building and a photo gallery of completed
projects: perrinocustomhomes.com.
The Perrino Design Center is located at
6163 Mayfield Road in Mayfield Heights.
Hours are 10-5 Mon - Weds & Fri - Sat,
10-9 on Thursday, and 12-5 on Sunday.
Call 440.919.1000 for more information or
to schedule a consultation.

Audition Your Next Entertainment System
in a Home-like Setting
By Kristal Pettit Photos Aaron Leyser

A

s much as we enjoy going
out to the movies, it’s a lot of
fun lounging in our pajamas
and enjoying the big screen
experience in our own home. The home
theater experts at Sound & Vision can
help make that happen. Whether you’re
converting the former playroom into a
man cave, or incorporating a multi-media
room into your new construction, Sound
& Vision has the equipment and the
expertise.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Mike Woods began Sound & Vision
14 years ago in Cuyahoga Falls with
the intention of bringing high quality
electronics to the discerning consumer. He
now has two more showroom locations,
where customers can experience his audio
and screening equipment in a home-like
setting, one in Beachwood and, his newest,
in Columbus.
“It’s important to be able to experience
the equipment in person,” Mike explains.
“There’s no way to fully appreciate the

quality and make comparisons from a
website.” Sound & Vision maintains a large
inventory in stock so when you’ve decided
on the system or equipment piece that
meets your needs, you can walk out of
the store with it. There’s no ordering and
waiting weeks for delivery.
Because Sound & Vision belongs to a large
buying group of independent electronic
retailers, the consumer benefits from its
buying power. One might believe that the
best prices are only available from the

big box stores, but that’s simply not true.
The prices are extremely competitive with
the large retailers, but the selection and
expertise of the sales staff far exceed what
you’d find at the large chain stores. And
you won’t find installation experts at the
large retailers, either.
Sound & Vision’s full time installation
staff is experienced in both older homes
and new construction. “No matter what
era your house is from, we can install
cutting edge audio, video and smart home
technology,” Mike assures us, referring to
the natural extension of his business into
the newest aspect of technology for the
home. If working with a contractor, bring
him or her with you into the showroom
to personally experience the system
and make certain all installation and
specification questions are answered by
the professional sales staff.
As a member of the Home Builders
Association, Sound & Vision is on the
front line of home trends. Instead of opting
for dedicated home theaters, many are
incorporating multi-media rooms, and
integrating them into the rest of the home
with smart home connectivity. The 11,000
square foot showroom in Cuyahoga Falls
now includes an impressive selection of
furnishings specifically for multi-media
interiors. After you select the right audio
and video equipment, you can shop for the
perfect sectional, lounge chairs, storage
units and more, to complete the room.
The only way to truly experience a quality
turntable for your vinyl collection, or the
Black Diamond viewing screen which
allows perfect clarity even in a natural
light filled room, is to visit one of Sound &
Vision’s showrooms. Test the expertise of
your sales associate with every question
that comes to mind and feel confident that
you’ve made the best buying decision for
your family’s entertainment needs.
Sound & Vision
soundandvisionohio.com
750 Howe Avenue
Cuyahoga Falls
330.923.5933
28700 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood
216.292.0300
1216 East Powell Road
Columbus
614.785.9700
Mike Woods and Jason Dietrick
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

65

Feel Secure in Your Home in All Seasons
By Janine Purcell Photos Fine Lifestyles

S

pring is nearly here and
Clevelanders are anxious to let
the fresh air into their homes.
Of some concern is the security
of your family and possessions when
leaving windows unlocked and open.
Vector Security has solutions to provide
a deterrent to would-be intruders while
still allowing homeowners to enjoy our
well-deserved warm weather. Call Vector
Security, Inc. to assess your home for a
state of the art, intelligent security system
tailored to your situation and budget.

residential video surveillance, mobile and
home functions that are programmed
to operate automatically, controlled
property access, and fire and intrusion
protection across North America, Canada
and the Caribbean. They design, install
and monitor complete security systems
for hundreds of thousands of homes,
businesses and multi-site retail chains.
Locally, Vector is represented by Regional
Managers Christine Longley in Geneva,
Ohio, and Gordon Zeiler in the Boardman
office.

Vector Security, Inc. is one of the largest
electronic security companies in the
U.S. They provide commercial and

They can help you explore the new
generation of home security solutions
that provide convenient access to a

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

sophisticated array of tools. From your
smart phone, computer and tablet, you
can turn lights, radio and televisions on
and off to create the impression that you
are at home. You can control the door
locks, which means you neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fret
about forgetting to secure your home, and
also can let in family members, visitors
or trusted service technicians without
providing them a key.
For the warmer seasons, Vector Security
systems can be adjusted to allow you to
open your windows to a pre-determined
setting. Once the security system is
activated, the alarm will sound if the
windows are raised beyond that height,

thereby protecting your home and family
from unwelcome guests. Another setting
will activate the alarm through the
detection of movement in the home. If you
are away but your pets are home, further
adjustments can be made to instruct
the motion detector to ignore, say, a fifty
pound occupant trotting through the living
room on the way to the dog dish in the
kitchen.
Video cameras can operate in live or cliprecording mode. While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at work,
open a window on your computer and
observe in real time how your kids are
behaving with the nanny, and maybe get a
glimpse of your beloved pet.
To create peace of mind regarding older
loved ones, you can install personal
technology with wristband or pendant
button activators to summon medical
help if needed. Knowing that help can be
summoned when needed provides a sense
of safety and peace of mind.
When it comes to responding to security
alarms, Vector Securityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning
monitoring services start with experienced
operators available around the clock to
dispatch authorities to your location
quickly when an alarm is triggered. They
employ a nationally-recognized false
alarm protocol to rule out false alarms and
then immediately contact the appropriate
emergency responder. Back-up cellular,
radio or Internet service options can
ensure continuous monitoring of your
security system even if standard telephone
service is interrupted.
As warm weather arrives this spring, talk
to Christine or Gordon at Vector Security
to customize security solutions for your
home or business. They are happy to
discuss your unique needs because their
primary concern is the safety of you and
your family.
Vector Security
50 E. Main
Geneva, Ohio
440.466.7233
970 Windham Court, Suite 2
Boardman, Ohio
330.726.9841
vectorsecurity.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

67

Preserving Safety and Cleanliness
at Your Home or Business
By Janine Purcell Photos Aaron Leyser and Courtesy Martinson-Nicholls

M

artinson-Nicholls is an
industry leader in floor mat
and anti-slip technologies.
They can create a unique
solution to any residential or commercial
challenge where safety, comfort or the
need to be clean crops up where people’s
feet dare to go.
Dan Ruminski acquired the business over
30 years ago from original founder Dave
Martinson. Back in the day MartinsonNicholls had major brand recognition here
in Cleveland in that pre-Internet world
of commerce. Today the firm’s internet
presence sails under the name Floormat.
com.

Owner Dan Ruminski also makes the
rounds as the Cleveland Storyteller. The
true tales he can tell about his company’s
successes expanded my horizons, and
maybe they’ll have you viewing the world
underfoot with new eyes.
In the early days the primary product
was floor matting and anti-slip pressure
sensitive tape – think the anti-slip strips in
a bathtub. The company created a range
of commercial and residential applications
that involved custom sizing or die cutting
the material.
Over the years the business has grown
five-fold from its original size. It’s known as
Dan Ruminski

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

a one-stop shop where Ruminski applies
what he labels “pragmatic engineering”
to conquer any size project. They tailor
the characteristics of the product to the
demands and needs of the customer
environment. For example, 400 U.S.
Army tanks world-wide are equipped with
custom fit anti-slip mats that are resistant
to fungus to fulfill the military acquisition
specifications.
The firm took a call from Bollingers of
New Orleans, a world class ship builder.
The U.S. Coast Guard had commissioned
50 new cutters from their shipyard. The
entire deck required an anti-slip covering
that could be maintained for inevitable
wear and tear. Martinson-Nicholls’ staff
took a swift trip down to New Orleans
and created detailed computer drawings
of the entire deck layout. They delivered
complete ship sets that employ the most
“aggressive” anti-slip tape. Ships also
carry replacement pieces so repairs can be
made at sea immediately when needed.
A downtown Cleveland hotel consulted
with Ruminski when the square weather
mat they had purchased elsewhere
created a tripping hazard when paired with
their circular revolving door. Floormat.com
had previously perfected an approach to
trim mats to curved areas and then apply
edges to them. An hour of onsite work to
convert the mat to a circular shape, and
the area was instantly safer for the high
volume of foot traffic.
The firm can create floor mats that
keep salt, dirt and chemicals from being
tracked into your home or business. The
appropriate mat surface can vigorously
scrape off particles. Martinson-Nicholls’
customers in the hotel and retail space
can attest to their effectiveness in
making entrances cleaner and safer, while
significantly reducing cleaning costs.
Consider how these mats can make your
home safer and conveniently cleaner. An
anti-slip mat creates a safe passage for
humans and their furry friends, or converts
a slippery slope like a wheelchair ramp into
a secure pathway.
To learn more call Martinson-Nicholls at
440.951.1312 or visit floormat.com.
Martinson-Nicholls
440.951.1312 or 800.876.1312
floormat.com

ften at my presentations
about Cleveland’s famous
Millionaire’s Row, I ask the
audience what they know of
John D. Rockefeller and his connection
to Cleveland, Ohio. Surprisingly,
most Clevelanders are unaware that
Rockefeller’s home was in Cleveland and
that his famous Standard Oil Company,
The Standard, was formed in our once
very famous city. With that being said, let

us examine John D. Rockefeller and some
of the myths that many still believe about
him today.
John D. Rockefeller was born in upstate
New York in 1839, well before the Civil
War. His parents were as opposite as
any two people could be. Mother Eliza
Davidson was a strict Baptist in every
sense of the word, with religious beliefs
of honesty, frugality and charity. Smoking,
JOHN D ROCKEFELLER

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

FAMILY HOME ON CHESHIRE (NOW EAST 12TH)

HOME ON EUCLID AVE.

GATES AT FOREST HILL HOMESTEAD

drinking and attending almost any
entertainment event were not allowed.
One must actively participate in the
church and each Sunday was filled with
church activities. His motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teaching
stuck with John D. all of his life. His father,
William Avery Rockefeller, on the other
hand, was anything but religious. Some
say he was a horse thief. We know he was
a fraudulent medicine man, calling himself
Dr. Rockefeller and selling make believe
cures for almost any ailment of the day.
The senior Rockefeller was also a bigamist,
which kept him away from home for long
periods of time. William Avery Rockefeller
also taught his son many things which
John D. practiced during his lifetime, like
the art of the deal and how to negotiate in

business. William taught his son how to
borrow money when trying to accomplish
big successes. Later in life, when John D.
Rockefeller was starting his own business,
his father lent him money as needed,
always at 10% interest. His father would
oftentimes call the loan early, surprising
his son. When he became successful, John
D. Rockefeller always had a lot of cash in
his safe so that he was prepared for his
fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unannounced visits.
This too, taught young John D. that
business is not always predictable and
that one must have plans to address any
situation.
The Rockefeller introduction to the greater
ROCKEFELLER MONUMENT
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

71

Cleveland area started in Strongsville,
where a sister of William lived. Eventually
Rockefeller and his family migrated
to Parma, and then to Cleveland. The
Cleveland family home was located on
Cheshire Street, East 12th St. today, and
was built by John D. for his father when
he was all of sixteen years of age. Being
that his father was away for long periods
of time hustling, his son John was put in
charge of building this all brick home. John
made the project a great success, bringing
it in under budget to his father’s surprise.
Again, William Avery was teaching his
son about responsibility and budgets at an
early age. I cannot image giving a sixteen
year old the duty of building the family
home today. Who knows what the end
result would be.
John D. Rockefeller entered business here
in Cleveland as a bookkeeper at about the
age of eighteen years. After a short period
of time he started his own business, his
life’s dream, with friend Maurice Clark.
They bought and resold farm products of
all types and made a fortune during the
Civil War.
Shortly after the war Rockefeller left Clark
and formed a new company refining oil.
Rockefeller partnered this time with a
fellow by the name of Samuel Andrews, a
brilliant chemist. This was really the start
of what was to become Standard Oil. As
Rockefeller began to buy up oil refineries
throughout Cleveland he continually
needed more and more money. Thus new
partners were brought into the business,
namely Stephen Harkness, Henry Flagler
and brother William. These men, along
with Rockefeller, were the creators of
Standard Oil, circa 1870. The entity was
to grow into the largest corporation in
the world at that time. John D. Rockefeller
bought a wonderful mansion on Euclid
Avenue, Millionaire’s Row, in 1868
where he and his wife, Laura Spellman,
raised their family of one son and three
daughters. John eventually wanted to
build a spacious country estate and thus
began accumulating some seven hundred
acres in East Cleveland and Cleveland
Heights. Forest Hill became a working
farm with all of the amenities of a great
European estate. The Rockefellers, over
their lifetime, owned many homes and
properties but Forest Hill was their
favorite.
Some facts that may surprise you about
John D. Rockefeller are not obvious. For

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

HENRY M FLAGLER

SAMUEL ANDREWS

STEPHEN V. HARKNESS

WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER

ELIZA ROCKEFELLER

JOHN D ROCKEFELLER

example, he loved to play golf and had a
wonderful nine hole golf course on his
estate, Forest Hill. He played most days
during Cleveland’s grand summers. He
had a bet with his doctor, Hamilton Biggar,
that he would live long enough to play golf
on his 100th birthday. John D. died just shy
of ninety-eight. Folklore suggests that John
D. Rockefeller was eventually kicked out
of Cleveland and as a result left for New
York, never to return. Not true. Rockefeller
did have a tax issue with the city, a tax he
really did not owe, and was angered by the
whole situation. Rockefeller’s departure
to New York was really late in his life.
John and Laura summered at Forest Hills
until she died in 1915. The Rockefellers
are buried at Lake View Cemetery, an
institution John helped create. When son
John D. Rockefeller II suggested that a
Rockefeller plot in New York would be a
better and more suitable place for burial,
John told his son: “Mother and I will be
buried in Cleveland, Ohio, our home.”
The Rockefeller legacy that survives today
is limited, but important. The Rockefeller
Building on Public Square, Rockefeller
Park, in Cleveland and a beautiful park
in Cleveland Heights, part of his original
estate, and the Rockefeller shopping area,
also in Cleveland Heights. Rockefeller by
no means was a perfect man, but we as
Clevelanders should respect his great
contributions to our city which made
Cleveland a better place. He made many
Clevelanders wealthy, wealth that is still
evident today, continuing to support
charities throughout the city.
DAN RUMINSKI
Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

73

EXPERTAdvice
Behavioral Investing:
Overcoming Emotion in
Investing
The following provides a high-level
description of some of the more
prevalent ones:
Loss-aversion: Psychologically, losses
are significantly more powerful than
gains. People strongly prefer avoiding
losses as opposed to securing gains. The
investor is likely to respond by continuing
to hold the losing investments. The idea
of actually losing money is so painful
that the first reaction is to hold the
investment until it breaks even. The
investor is acting based on emotions.

he impact of an investor’s
psychological
makeup
and
behavior can have profoundly
negative effects on performance results.
Numerous studies to understand the
investor mindset have been undertaken
in recent years. Emotions are undesirable
to investors feeling them, and although
they may wish to control their responses
to them, they often cannot.

Biases
There
are
several
emotional
biases associated with investment
management. These biases can cause
investors to make suboptimal decisions.
One major step in overcoming them
is to be educated on what they are.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Overconfidence: A bias in which
people
demonstrate
unwarranted
faith in their own intuitive reasoning,
judgements, and/or cognitive abilities.
This overconfidence may be the result
of overestimating knowledge levels,
abilities, and access to information.
Self-control: A bias in which people
fail to act in pursuit of their long-term,
overarching goals because of a lack
of self-discipline. There is an inherent
conflict between short-term satisfaction
and achievement of some long-term
goals. Money is an area in which people
are notorious for displaying a lack of
self-control
Status-quo: An emotional bias in
which people do nothing (i.e. maintain
the “status quo”) instead of making
a change. People are generally more
comfortable keeping things the same
than with change and thus do not
necessarily look for opportunities where
change is beneficial.

Sound
Methodology
Although it is difficult to eliminate these
emotional biases by sheer willpower,
or magically “wishing” them away, a
major step to overcoming them beyond
basic awareness is to employ a logical
and organized approach to portfolio
management. Having a systematic game
plan to making portfolio investments and
ongoing adjustments can provide a great
source of comfort when in situations
of doubt or feeling overwhelmed with
emotion. To borrow from sports, having
a “playbook” that outlines appropriate
and specific actions to be taken under
any given market scenario or regime
empowers the investor to mechanically
respond to the evidence being borne out
by the markets.

Conclusion
Knowing your inherent psychological
and behavioral weaknesses is a great
first step to being a better investor.
Having a sound process for evaluating
and constructing your portfolio, as
well as having the conviction to follow
that process will help you to live with
greater peace of mind, and should help
to achieve more favorable investment
results. If you happen to find yourself
overwhelmed by the decision making
process when clouded with emotional
and behavioral obstacles, it would
benefit you greatly to become aligned
with an investment advisor that is
both disciplined and unemotional,
and employs a logical and organized
approach to managing portfolios.